Wednesday, February 4, 2009

GPU Gems 2 or Capability Cases

“GPU Gems 2 isn’t meant to simply adorn your bookshelf—it’s required reading for anyone trying to keep pace with the rapid evolution of programmable graphics. If you’re serious about graphics, this book will take you to the edge of what the GPU can do.”

—Remi Arnaud, Graphics Architect at Sony Computer Entertainment

“The topics covered in GPU Gems 2 are critical to the next generation of game engines.”

This sequel to the best-selling, first volume of GPU Gems details the latest programming techniques for today’s graphics processing units (GPUs). As GPUs find their way into mobile phones, handheld gaming devices, and consoles, GPU expertise is even more critical in today’s competitive environment. Real-time graphics programmers will discover the latest algorithms for creating advanced visual effects, strategies for managing complex scenes, and advanced image processing techniques. Readers will also learn new methods for using the substantial processing power of the GPU in other computationally intensive applications, such as scientific computing and finance. Twenty of the book’s forty-eight chapters are devoted to GPGPU programming, from basic concepts to advanced techniques. Written by experts in cutting-edge GPU programming, this book offers readers practical means to harness the enormous capabilities of GPUs.

Capability Cases: A Solutions Envisioning Approach

Author: Irene Polikoff

Bridge the gap between business vision and software solution

Both IT organizations and business leaders recognize the urgent importance of aligning technology solutions with enterprise strategy. But they've struggled to do so... until now. Capability Cases represents a breakthrough: a powerful, systematic way to translate business vision into effective plans and system designs.

The authors' Solution Envisioning methodology addresses the crucial "front end" of software development, where you decide what to build, and how you're going to build it. Using realistic examples, they walk you through exploring the capabilities you need, capturing business best practices, identifying optimal solutions, and crafting software systems that deliver them.

Solution Envisioning enables you to specify solutions in half the time, build systems that more fully reflect your true needs, and dramatically reduce risk and cost throughout the entire development process. Dozens of companies have already discovered its value. With this book, you will, too.

Includes easy-to-use templates for developing business cases, concepts of operations, architectural decisions, and other key work products

Whether you're an executive, architect, project manager, developer, change agent, or consultant, Capability Cases will help youbridge the gap between vision and solution -- so you can finally get what you need from information technology.